The phrase ‘the liberal media’ is something we’ve heard for years. The bias of reporters and journalists to lean towards the liberal side certainly exists to some extent or another. But for those wanting a different perspectives, outlets such as fox news often provide another perspective. Personally, to be a well informed citizen, I believe it is necessary to read from both points of views, and then draw your own conclusions. Humans have a tendency to come up with an opinion and then justify their feelings with whatever news articles they choose to use. So instead of news being used to inform, it is often being used as evidence to prove a persons already existing ideas.
The irony of internet, which brings information to people’s fingertips at light speeds, is that it should be educating people. Instead, it is dis-educating people. Americans have developed such strong and often unjustified feelings regarding certain subjects, that they refuse to allow truth to to be shown. They simply want evidence to justify the ‘I am right’ feeling, and you can always find someone willing to write an article justifying a commonly held belief.
The one constant that is more prevalent in the US today, more so than even the media being liberal, is the media being negative. It is an unending story of death, tragedy, lies, scandals, wars, and incarceration. It is enough to make a generally happy person feel like the world is ending. It is pervasive and inescapable. This makes it nearly impossible today to stay well informed, without plunging yourself into depression. The pursuit of knowledge and intellect is something I have always had a strong desire for, and have thus tried to read as much as possible. However, there have been times in my life where I have purposely avoided the news because I’ve felt it was better to be happy than to be intelligent. I think I may take a news break for the next few days, and maybe a happy pill.
I don’t always watch the news, but when I do, I make sure not to keep any sharp knives around